Sunday, September 29, 2013

A violent war has waged in secret underneath the notice of humanity since the beginning of time. Evil has pledged the destruction of humanity in spite of a power those that covet it could not possibly contain. Now the Warriors have inherited this ﬁght and are honor-bound to rid the world of this ancient malevolence. By guarding the most precious, piercing light they possess—their female kin known as the Oracles or Dreamers—the Warriors have a chance against the darkness.

Chantal Breelan, plagued by horrific nightmares for most of her life, believes something is wrong with her. Why else would she have such visions of destruction? But when creatures of terror came crawling out of the shadows to hunt her down shortly after her eighteenth birthday, she discovers the truth. Her dreams become reality, throwing her headﬁrst into a battle wrought by cursed monsters, where death and torture lie at every turn.

Mathias is a descendant of a Fallen Angel and a powerful Warrior. He vows his life in service to pay recompense for the sins of their fathers by guarding Chantal from within the shadows. Long has he fought, shedding sweat and blood, hoping that his struggles wouldn’t be in vain. With Chantal’s life in danger, he is forced to reveal himself, yet she manages to surprise him with her ﬁerce tenacity and strength. In his sacriﬁce, he ﬁnds redemption and life’s ultimate reward—a love to surpass all time.

Now Chantal has picks up the reins of her birthright and stands by her Warrior kin, by Mathias.

She’s on a mission to rescue others like herself. Yet, in this challenge, a battle of wits is exposed. New players are discovered, throwing strategies into question. When the truth comes to light, can Chantal hold her band of brothers together, or will they crumble under the weight of betrayal?

Friday, September 27, 2013

It is finally time to share the cover for Andrea Goodson'sRiverbend: The Collection which will be available

October 8, 2013 on Kindle!

Riverbend: The Collection is a compilation of all three novels in The Riverbend Trilogy: Riverbend, Rapid Water, and Waking Tide. This collection offers readers the chance to get all three books at once and for a fantastically low promotional price of $4.99! Three books for 5 bucks!

So, without further ado, here is the cover for Riverbend: The Collection!

Nestled deep in Northwest Pennsylvania, in the thick forest of the AlleghenyMountains, is a quiet community named Kennerdell. Rich in Native American andEuropean settlement history with few inhabitants and a charming culture, growingup there was simple for Lena Woodruff.

But when grief stepped in and darkened her life-everything changed and after years of escape, Lena is forced to return home.

A web of mystery and danger that dates back to America’s earliest days, quickly weaves around her and when a longtime friend, one who knows the tragedythat plagues Lena's heart, comes back into her life - things get complicated.

Grief darkens her thoughts while insecurity and self-doubt cause the linesbetween reality and imagination to blur. Just when she thinks she can't take anymore, a small glimmer of hope arises.

A sudden and unexpected need for love begins a conflict between self-doubt and the promise of something better.

Where strength can be weakness and vulnerability-an asset, the greatest danger that threatens Lena in Kennerdell may just be herself.

Will she be able to unfold the truth around this mystery or will it be easier to run away?

Love, danger, and history collide in Riverbend: The Collection

Look for it on Kindle October 8, 2013!

To find out more about Andrea Goodson's books you can visit her website, Twitter, or Facebook for exciting news, giveaways, and contests!

A violent war has waged in secret underneath the notice of humanity since the beginning of time. Evil has pledged the destruction of humanity in spite of a power those that covet it could not possibly contain. Now the Warriors have inherited this ﬁght and are honor-bound to rid the world of this ancient malevolence. By guarding the most precious, piercing light they possess—their female kin known as the Oracles or Dreamers—the Warriors have a chance against the darkness.

Chantal Breelan, plagued by horrific nightmares for most of her life, believes something is wrong with her. Why else would she have such visions of destruction? But when creatures of terror came crawling out of the shadows to hunt her down shortly after her eighteenth birthday, she discovers the truth. Her dreams become reality, throwing her headﬁrst into a battle wrought by cursed monsters, where death and torture lie at every turn.

Mathias is a descendant of a Fallen Angel and a powerful Warrior. He vows his life in service to pay recompense for the sins of their fathers by guarding Chantal from within the shadows. Long has he fought, shedding sweat and blood, hoping that his struggles wouldn’t be in vain. With Chantal’s life in danger, he is forced to reveal himself, yet she manages to surprise him with her ﬁerce tenacity and strength. In his sacriﬁce, he ﬁnds redemption and life’s ultimate reward—a love to surpass all time.

Now Chantal has picks up the reins of her birthright and stands by her Warrior kin, by Mathias.

She’s on a mission to rescue others like herself. Yet, in this challenge, a battle of wits is exposed. New players are discovered, throwing strategies into question. When the truth comes to light, can Chantal hold her band of brothers together, or will they crumble under the weight of betrayal?

Monday, September 23, 2013

Today’s guest post comes to us from Ava Michaels, the heroine (although she’d hesitate to use that word herself) of the MORE Trilogy by T.M. Franklin. In MORE, Ava encounters some unusual people, but none more frightening than the huge man with one blue and one green eye she keeps dreaming about. She finds out he’s not only a figment of her nightmares, however, when she comes face to face with him on Halloween.

When closing time finally came around, Ava shivered as she walked out of the diner, huddling deeper into her wool coat and tugging her scarf up over her mouth. She hoisted her backpack higher onto her shoulder before setting off down the sidewalk, quickly covering the two blocks to campus and only looking over her shoulder nervously a handful of times.

Maybe a dozen.

Fifteen, tops.

She hurried down the walkway toward the dorms, the dim path lights flickering little circles of yellow on the frosted concrete. The moon glowed slightly behind the haze of wispy clouds, and a shout of laughter drew her attention to a couple coming toward her, arms entwined. They were dressed as Romeo and Juliet, their costumes partially hidden under thick coats and mittens. They kissed, breath clouding around them, and began to run, smiling at her as they went past.

She couldn’t help smiling back.

Their footsteps echoed away until once again, the only sounds interrupting Ava’s quiet breathing were the crunch of her own boots and the squeak of her backpack straps.

And . . .

Ava stiffened, the peculiar feeling sliding over her once again. She scanned the landscape around her, facing straight ahead but her eyes seeking, carefully combing the surrounding shadows.

Nothing.

Still, she couldn’t shake that creepy sensation that someone was watching her. She quickened her pace, slipping off her right glove and reaching into her coat pocket to grip her pepper spray tightly.

Was that . . . ?

Were those footsteps?

Ava’s heartbeat quickened, her palms growing moist even in the brisk cold. She flipped the safety off the pepper spray, her thumb poised over the button. As she neared the bridge marking the halfway point to her dorm, she glanced over her shoulder quickly. Seeing nothing, she hurried over the bridge, cursing the burned-out bulb that left it in darkness.

Suddenly, a stifling feeling overcame her—like a dark blanket had been thrown over her head to suffocate her—and she whirled around, her backpack clattering to the ground as she whipped the pepper spray out of her pocket and held it at arm’s length. Ava gulped for air, eyes frantically darting about, and the trembling hand holding the pepper spray flailing as wildly as her gaze. She was sure someone was there. She swore she could feel them. She stood frozen with fear, waiting . . . watching.

After a few long moments, she shook her head, glad nobody had witnessed her desperate panic. With a heavy sigh, she pocketed her pepper spray, embarrassed at her own ridiculousness. She had to stop this nonsense. She was driving herself crazy. It was just a dream making her jumpy, nothing else.

Just a crazy, scary dream.

Ava bent to pick up her backpack, sliding it onto her shoulder as she scanned the horizon one more time. With a self-deprecating chuckle, she turned around to continue home.

Only to stop short in terror.

A man—a huge man—stood before her, mouth twisted in rage. He towered over her, at least six and a half feet tall, his shoulders wide, and arms banded with muscle. Shaved close to his head, his dark hair shadowed his skull, and his intimidating appearance was only enhanced by the jagged scar running down the right side of his face, from forehead to chin. He didn’t wear a coat, only a tight, black shirt and fatigues, black boots on his feet, and a wide leather belt with a mean-looking gun holstered at his hip.

It couldn’t be. But it was.

It was him. The man from her nightmares.

Ava scrambled back, but he reached out in a flash, gripping her upper arms and lifting her up so her toes barely brushed the ground. One hand slid to her throat, and he held her easily, pulling her closer to his frightening face.

“Please,” she begged, the word catching as she fought to breathe.

The man’s glare tightened, and Ava stared in morbid fascination at his mismatched eyes—blue and green—odd and vividly terrifying. She struggled, reaching for her pepper spray, only to have it slip from her fingers as she kicked out at the man.

He responded by laughing humorlessly, flipping her around and banding one arm around her torso. His grip was like iron, and she could barely breathe.

A press of metal to her temple transformed her fearful trembles into horrified shudders. She had no doubt. She was going to die. Her eyelids fluttered shut in defeat as he cocked the gun, the loud click echoing off the trees.

Then, a flash of black, a gust of wind, and suddenly she could breathe again. The man’s grip loosened, but he didn’t release her.

“Damn you,” he growled. “Stay out of this!”

Ava pushed him, her efforts in vain, as he hitched her up in response, tucking her under his arm like a bag of groceries. She kicked her legs, flailing desperately as the man spun about, pointing his gun into the darkness.

“Show yourself, you coward!”

The same flash of black, another blast of wind, and Ava fell to the ground, her head cracking on the concrete. She curled onto her side, moaning, lifting a hand to the back of her head, and squinting in shock at the blood that came away, streaking across her trembling palm.

Low grunts and the crack of bone on flesh floated on the air toward her, muzzy with her disorientation. She tried to focus, but could only make out two dark figures exchanging blows. Ava tried to sit up, but collapsed back onto the icy ground, overcome by a shock of dizziness and nausea.

Suddenly, the two dark beings seemed to meld into one, and in the next moment, she felt herself floating. She blinked; a face took form above her briefly, the features cast in shadow.

“Do I . . . do I know you?” she mumbled, fighting for consciousness.

“I’ve got you,” a low voice replied, and Ava nodded as a cool palm stroked her forehead, and the darkness consumed her.

-MORE, Chapter 4

We asked Ava to share her thoughts about this particular scene, and what was going through her mind at the time.

It’s been a while since I’ve even thought about that encounter, actually. If you’re not familiar with my story, MORE came out last October, and The Guardians, which picks up where MORE left off, will be released this November. So reading this again is a little like watching an old home movie.

Tiernan—that’s the guy with the mismatched eyes. I’m a little more familiar with him now—was terrifying, to be honest. He’s huge, hard-packed with muscle, with close-cropped hair and a big scar running down the side of his face. And when I saw him for the first time outside of my dreams, I couldn’t believe what was happening.

I know now that he didn’t intend to kill me, just take me in for testing, but at the time, I truly feared for my life. It took a long time for me to forget the feeling of his hands around my throat. I was sure I was going to die, but then in flash he was gone, and I was safe.

It was so weird because I woke up a while later in my own room, with no real memory of what had happened. My roommate, Lucy was freaked out, as you can imagine. But what was really strange was the new scar I had on the back of my head. Or rather, what was weird was that it wasn’t a new scar at all. It was old, healed and just a little tender, and I had no idea where it came from.

Of course, later, I remembered it all, and found out who had rescued me, not to mention how I could have a healed scar when I had only cracked my head on the concrete a couple of hours earlier. But I don’t want to spoil the story for you. Suffice to say that my life hasn’t been the same since.

And I no longer need to carry pepper spray. Just saying.

About MORE

Ava Michaels used to think she was special.

As a child, she fantasized about having magical powers . . . making things happen. But Ava grew up and eventually accepted the fact that her childish dreams were just that, and maybe a normal life wasn't so bad after all.

Now a young college student, Ava meets Caleb Foster, a brilliant and mysterious man who’s supposed to help her pass physics, but in reality has another mission in mind. What he shows Ava challenges her view of the world, shaking it to its very core.

Because Caleb isn't quite what he seems. In fact, he's not entirely human, and he's not the only one.

Together, the duo faces a threat from an ancient race bound to protect humans, but only after protecting their own secrets—secrets they fear Ava may expose. Fighting to survive, Ava soon learns she's not actually normal . . . she's not even just special.

T.M. Franklin started out her career writing non-fiction in a television newsroom. Graduating with a B.A. in Communications specializing in broadcast journalism and production, she worked for nine years as a major market television news producer, and garnered two regional Emmy Awards, before she resigned to be a full-time mom and part-time freelance writer. After writing and unsuccessfully querying a novel that she now admits, “is not that great,” she decided to follow the advice of one of the agents who turned her down—write some more and get better at it. Her first published novel, MORE, was born during National Novel Writing month, a challenge to write a novel in thirty days.

She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Mike, is mom to two boys, Justin and Ryan, and has an enormous black dog named Rocky who’s always lying nearby while she’s writing. Whether he’s soothed by the clicking of the computer keys or just waiting for someone to rub his belly is up for debate.

In addition to MORE, Franklin penned the Amazon best-selling short story, Window, as well as another short story, A Piece of Cake, which appears in the Romantic Interludes anthology. The sequel to MORE, The Guardians, will be released November 7, 2013.

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, or Blogger. We hereby release all names listed of any liability. Winner(s) will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. Let me know if you have any questions or issues by contacting me: @SydneyALogan. - Good Luck!

Winners for both BEST VINE and the random drawing will be announced on Oct. 19th

Good luck, have fun, and happy Vining!!

All videos must be rated for all audiences. All videos are subject to removal by TWCS Staff. Any video with the following will be removed immediately: swearing or vulgar language, nudity, sexual content, drug use, derogatory language, or racist remarks. The final decision on removal is solely the responsibility of TWCS.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

When Harrow unknowingly spread a disease, he became a running
target for the Vampire Council for annihilation. A hunted man, Harrow learns
that danger not only comes in the form of death, but in the name of Jordan, an infuriatingly
beautiful and vengeful woman, and a dangerous little emotion—hope.

But even as Harrow begins to fall in love, he struggles with the horrors of the
disease and what the future held for him and Jordan, that is if she decides to
stick around.

Tor Burns has taken refuge at Tack Enterprises. Committed to saving vampires from the clutches of the Vampire Council, he is reluctant to serve as bodyguard to Allison Tack, the daughter of their fallen leader. Beautiful and timid Allison is infected and hunted by the Council, and her friends are determined to keep her safe. She wants to learn how to protect herself, but no one is listening, so she sets out to prove that she can fight alongside the best of them.

Melissa is hell-bent on discovering her son Demetrius’s fate, and time has made her desperate. Stepping up her efforts, she seeks the help of his son, Zane. She wages war against the suspected vampires, not realizing that she herself has fallen into a trap.

A life must be given for a life taken. Will Tor have to sacrifice himself before Allison pays the price?

≈♥≈ ≈♥≈ ≈♥≈ ≈♥≈≈♥≈ ≈♥≈ ≈♥≈ ≈♥≈

Feather Light

Release Date: October 10, 2013

At the height of his popularity as a sought after massage therapist, Parker Davis is besieged with a full schedule and declining eyesight. The last thing he expected is to get involved with a client. After all, his policy is never to mix business with pleasure.

Beautiful Hollywood actress, Kelly Storm walks into Parker’s office under a heavy disguise with hopes of evading the ever-present paparazzi. All she wants is a good massage and a chance to forget her past. The gorgeous masseuse everyone’s dubbed as ‘Feather Light’ is going to give her what she needed.

Storming her way into Parker’s structured life, Kelly is more than he could handle. Neither one is looking for love, but fate has other plans for them. Parker wants control of his life and Kelly needs an escape. Is there a common ground for them aside from a fulfilling sexual encounter?

Friday, September 13, 2013

Cover art by Megan Dooley, to be published by The Writer's Coffee Shop

Summary:

It’s been years since Agnarr met his wyrd on the Green Island. Years since he left Charis, his former trell and medicine woman, with her new husband in her new village. Even though he lost her, he cannot help but feel his destiny lies with her people of Éire, so he returns with his final raiding party. Once there, a chance encounter strikes him speechless and without his memory, alone in a foreign land.

He is taken to Aislinn, a physician who is serving in Bangor Monastery. Born in Ragor, the village Agnarr destroyed when she was a child, she is now the adopted daughter of Charis and Cowan, and has herself trained in healing. Drawn to her tall, blond patient in a way that she never has been to a man before, she is horrified and angry to find that he is the one responsible for the loss of her home.

These are turbulent times in Éire, and there are volatile tempers all around. Still, Agnarr Halvardson would stay on the island, wed, and sire sons to live in strength and plenty in his adopted home. He wants Aislinn to be his wife and the mother of his children, but she won’t marry without love. He worships Thor and Odin; she worships Jesu the Christ. Can two from such opposing backgrounds find happiness with one another? Might they even find a love that will change both their worlds?

This title will be available via NetGalley in October for reviewers, with a January, 2014 book release.

The first book of this trilogy, Éire's Captive Moon, is available here:

Thursday, September 12, 2013

I wa spart of the recent Indie Summer Blog Tour, and was asked to blog about a place in the world either I'd like to visit, or maybe the characters in my book might like to go. I chose the latter (although I'd probably like to go there too!)
With MORE’s ties to myths and legends, it seems logical that if Caleb were to take Ava on a trip, he’d take her somewhere special to the First Race. Somewhere steeped in mystical history where someone Race, or perhaps maybe even a Half-Breed, made an impact on humanity.

“Our mission is to protect humanity and aid in its growth and development,” he explained. “We watch and offer a nudge here and there in the right direction.”“A nudge?”“Helping along in the development of science and technology, for example. Vaccines, scientific discoveries . . . agricultural advances. We try to aid where we can, while at the same time protecting you from potentially dangerous mishaps.”“Kind of like guardian angels, then?” she asked.Caleb smirked and looked back out the window. “Of a kind,” he said. “The number one rule for us is to stay under the radar, undetected. Although we have enhanced abilities, we are far fewer in number than you, and we’ve learned from history that not everyone is happy to learn of our existence.“Secrecy is for our protection as much as your own,” he added.- MORE, Chapter 8

The ruins of Tintagel Castle stand on the cliffs along England’s dramatic coastline in North Cornwall. Legend holds it is the birthplace of King Arthur, and the castle also features in the tale of Tristan and Isolde. It seems like the perfect place for Caleb and Ava to hole up, off the grid a bit so maybe they can avoid the Council. And Caleb could share a bit of Race history, because you KNOW the Race had something to do with a legend like King Arthur.

Beneath Tintagel Castle lies Merlin’s Cave, made famous in Tennyson’s Idylls of the King. The tale says waves carried the infant Arthur to shore and Merlin carried him to safety, hiding in the cave to protect him from enemies of the Pendragon crown. Some say Merlin’s ghost still haunts the cave.

September 6 marks the one year anniversary of the release of Sydney Logan's debut novel, Lessons Learned. To celebrate, Sydney is offering a fantastic giveaway!

The Blurb:

A young girl needs to spread her wings, but a young woman needs roots.

English teacher Sarah Bray never thought she’d return to Sycamore Falls, but a traumatic event at her inner-city school leaves her desperate for the sanctuary of home. By returning to her roots, an older and wiser Sarah hopes to deal with the demons of her present and confront the ghosts of her past.

She discovers a kindred spirit in Lucas Miller, a teacher from New York with demons of his own. As the newest faculty members at Sycamore High School, they quickly become friends – bonding through Lucas’s culture shock and their mutual desire to build new lives. When they open their wounded hearts to each other, their friendship effortlessly evolves into romance.

Their love is put to the test when Matt, the quarterback of the football team, shares his deepest secret with Sarah. When the conservative community finds out, Sarah and Lucas – along with the town of Sycamore Falls – are schooled in the lessons of acceptance, tolerance, and love.

Praise for Lessons Learned

"Lessons Learned is a book that isn’t easily forgotten. I urge you to give it a read. You won’t regret it. Also, did I mention it starts with a bang? Talk about the best prologue ever."-JM Darhower, author of Sempre

"I haven’t read a book in a long time that I can compare to my favorite author Nicholas Sparks. THIS book is that book." - Becky, Book Blogger

To thank her readers for an amazing year, Sydney is celebrating with a giveaway! You can win a signed copy of Lessons Learned and a $25 Amazon or iTunes gift card! The Rafflecopter is below.

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, iTunes, or Blogger. We hereby release all names listed of any liability. Winner(s) will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. Let me know if you have any questions or issues by contacting me: @SydneyALogan. - Good Luck!

A Lovely Addiction

We are avid readers who will give an honest opinion about the books we read. Committed to retaining quality literature for others to devour, we look for originality, thought-provoking, and entertaining tales. Entertainers at heart, we admire those who can spin a story with riveting detail, intrigue, and spice.